Steps in Developing a Bioassessment and Biocriteria Program
Biocriteria Links
Planning - Establish the Management FrameworkEstablish a PolicyEstablish a policy that includes a long term goal to restore and maintain the biological integrity of state or tribal surface waters, an interim goal of achieving attainable biological conditions and an implementation plan for refinement of designated aquatic life uses and development and application of biological criteria. EPA recommends that states and Indian tribes establish a policy which includes a long term biological integrity goal for their surface waters and an interim goal of achieving optimal, attainable biological conditions. This should include an explanation, or reference to information, on how the policy will be applied in their water quality-based programs and an implementation plan to achieve the policy goals - including the development of scientific methods and criteria to translate the goal statements into quantitative descriptions of state or tribal aquatic life use classifications. Establish an Implementation PlanThis plan should describe a state's or tribe's long term biological integrity goal for restoring and maintaining the biological integrity of surface waters, the interim goal of achieving attainable biological conditions in their surface waters, and the development of biological assessment methods and criteria that reflect specific life use designations. The purpose of this plan ensure that the development of biological criteria is integrally linked to a state or tribe's water classification system and long term water quality goals. Plan should include:
Describe Methods and Approach to Collect Necessary DataStatement describing the methods and approach that will be employed to collect data necessary for translating the goal statement into quantitative descriptions of state and tribal use classifications. This statement serves as the outline for developing scientifically sound and rigorous biological criteria and should include:
Describe How Biocriteria Will Be Applied in a State or Tribal Water Quality-Based ProgramStatement describing how the state or tribe intends to apply the biological criteria in its water quality-based program. This plan should conceptually address how the state or tribe will implement biological criteria in their water quality program, including application of biological information prior to adoption of biological criteria in water quality standards, e.g. site specific assessments, screening, integrated water quality assessments using chemical, biological, and physical data. Appropriate applications of biocriteria include:
Develop An Implementation TimetableAn implementation timetable should assist a state or tribe in planning and allocating resources for a sustained and consistent effort to develop biological criteria. It should be developed in conjunction with EPA and be based on available and projected Federal and state resources. If a state or tribe is either planning or implementing a watershed approach to water quality protection, the schedule and plan for development of biological assessment methods and criteria should be incorporated into the watershed plan and reflect state and tribal priorities. In the timetable, include:
The implementation plan and timetable should serve as a guide to EPA for prioritization of technical assistance to states and Indian tribes, allocation of resources for water quality monitoring and resource characterization, and program evaluation during water quality standards triennial review.
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